‘Sonnet Boom’ Turns Miami Into a City of Poets

For those who love a sunset on Miami Beach, fresh mangoes every summer, or even I-95 traffic jams, here’s the chance to express yourself.

“Sonnett Boom: Love poems for Miami: is a citywide public poetry initiative led by O, Miami, SWIMM (Supporting Women Writers in Miami), along with Elevate Miami and civic storytelling support from The Miami Herald.

The project invites residents of all ages to submit original 14-line love poems to Miami. Selected poems will then become part of the city’s DNA as they appear in public spaces through installations, performances, and a National Poetry Month Showcase.

“Cities belong to the people who live in them. ‘Sonnet Boom’ places that ownership into the public square,” said Kim Coupounas, CEO, Elevate Cities.

Carolina Cabrera, co-executive director of O, Miami, said the project is an opportunity for the city to “claim its voice – from families to students to lifelong writers.”

Sonnet Boom is designed as more than a literary contest; it is a public act of authorship, say the organizers.

Sonnets are traditional love poems and anyone with a meaningful connection to Miami is invited to submit an original poem up to 14 lines.

Poems can rhyme or be free flowing. Use a poetic meter or your own rhythm, according to the organizers.” The only guideposts are 14 lines and show your Miami love. Deadline for submission is Saturday, Feb. 14.

The contest has both youth and adult categories, with no entry fees, cash prizes for adults and scholarship awards for students. There will be first, second and third prize winners in each category, and a strong emphasis on inclusion and accessibility.

Poems will be a Miami-based literary panel:

• Caridad Moro-Gronlier, Poet Laureate of Miami-Dade County
• Catherine Esposito Prescott, Co-Founder, SWWIM
• Caroline Cabrera, Co-Executive Director, O, Miami
• Richard Blanco, inaugural Poet Laureate of Miami-Dade County
• Fabienne Josaphat, author, poet and translator

Adult finalists and winners will be selected through a combination of juried review and public voting. Youth finalists and winners will be selected by a panel of judges.

Public showcase events are planned for National Poetry Month in April.

“(‘Sonnet Boom’) positions residents not as spectators of the city, but as co-authors of its identity,” said Coupounas.

Judging will take place over a month from Feb. 15 through March 14 with finalists announced on March 16. Public voting will be from March 16 through March 23.

Full contest details and submission guidelines can be found at sonnetboom.submittable.com.

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